A round-up of today's irish news stories in brief
Scientific research funding worth €11.5m announced
The Government has announced scientific research funding worth €11.5 million. The money will support 52 projects in areas including health, environmental, forestry and energy research, writes Dick Ahlstrom Science Editor.
Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe said yesterday €8.5 million provided under Science Foundation Ireland’s Research Frontiers programme would back the work of 105 researchers, mainly PhD students.
Minister of State for Agriculture Seán Connick announced €3 million for six forestry research projects, three of them in forest energy. They arise under the Coford forestry research programme.
The Research Frontiers programme supports young scientists in the early stages of their career development. The funding will initiate 47 such projects and support 105 researchers. The €3 million for forestry research will back six projects.
These will now all draw funding for several years, but will put research funder finances under continued pressure should further cuts be imposed in budget 2010.
Stay on deportation pending court case
The Minister for Justice has reviewed the file of a Brazilian woman who was threatened with deportation, and said she can stay in Ireland pending a court case, writes Carol Coulter, Legal Affairs Editor. The woman, who came to Ireland to care for her daughter, was due to be deported next Thursday.
The Evening Heraldreported that the woman had been ordered to leave, despite the fact that she was caring for her daughter, Aline Barros, who was seriously injured in a road crash. Yesterday Dermot Ahern said: "We are not heartless. I have asked that the file be brought to me. We have immigration laws. The mother has had her visa extended many times. The question is, will it be indefinitely?" It is understood there is a court case pending over the accident, and that the mother will be permitted to stay in Ireland to care for her daughter until then.
Plastic surgeon suspended
A plastic surgeon has been suspended from working for six months by the High Court over his failure to provide proper aftercare for a Dublin woman following breast augmentation surgery.
Last February, a Medical Council’s fitness to practise committee found Dr Marco Loiacona (33) guilty of misconduct on six out of 11 charges laid against him. He had denied the allegations.
High Court President, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, ruled Dr Loiacona should be suspended for six months and undergo further education.
Man's body found in Dublin woodland
A Garda investigation is under way into the death of a man whose body has been discovered in Co Dublin.
Hillwalkers are reported to have found the body in woodland at Slade Valley, Brittas, in the vicinity of the Slade Valley golf club.
The man’s car was found nearby.
The discovery was made last night about 8.30pm. A postmortem was expected to be conducted today.
Garda at Tallaght, Co Dublin, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the man, who is believed to be in his 30s.